Chick Peas

Chick peas, garbanzo beans, hummos, chana, cici beans – all words that describe the same bean. The OED traces the name of chick peas from French (chiche) to Latin (cicer – where we get the name Cicero). The word “chick pea” appears during the mid-18th century. Garbanzo comes from the Old Spanish “calavance” and is thought to perhaps find its true root in the Greek “erebinthos”. Botanists call them “Cicer arietinum”.

The chick pea has been found as early on the Neolithic period and provides an important cornerstone in the cuisines of the Near East, India, and Pakistan. According to Mansfeld’s World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops, there are two types of chick pea:

Desi, which has small, darker seeds and a rough coat, cultivated mostly in the Indian subcontinent, Ethiopia, Mexico, and Iran.

Kabuli, which has lighter coloured, larger seeds and a smoother coat, mainly grown in Southern Europe, Northern Africa, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Chile, also introduced during the 18th century to the Indian subcontinent.

Chick pea plants are drought-resistant due to their deep taproot system. They are most commonly found in the cuisine of West Asia, which includes the regions known as the Near East. These cuisines are diverse but include common elements including chick peas, mint, olive oil, and honey.

Chick peas are an excellent source of protein supplying 30 grams of protein per cup of cooked chickpeas with 24 grams of dietary fiber. For cultures where vegetarianism is common (such as India) or for those trying a more vegetarian diet in light of rising food prices and adopting a healthier lifestyle chick peas are a wonderfully versatile protein source.

Here’s a quick and tasty recipe using garbanzo beans. With very few ingredients and the option to either use canned or fresh makes this a great dish for those evenings where you don’t want to really put much work or thought into dinner.